What To Expect
What should I expect at a service?
At St. Hugh & St. Edmund (SHSE), you should expect to be met by the living God!
Anglican worship is formal and traditional but at the same time lively and spiritual, because the Spirit of God is in our midst. At every service we read from the Bible and engage with it in the sermon; we pray for the church and the world; we sing God’s praises; and we receive the presence of Jesus himself in Communion. As Anglicans, we believe that worship is not about us, but about God. The whole service follows an ancient form that directs our focus to God.
Anglican worship can be challenging in the beginning. It is liturgical–meaning it follows set patterns and words–and this can be intimidating at first. Many of us have been there, but have come to love the beauty and the depth of Anglican worship.
To help you through the service we have printed bulletins with Bible readings and an order of service.
What is an Anglican?
Anglicans are part of a global communion of churches known as the Anglican Communion, which currently has around 85 million members worldwide. We trace our spiritual heritage back to the Protestant Reformation in England, when the church recovered the centrality of the Bible and of the importance of salvation by grace alone through faith alone. At the same time, the Anglican church retained many of the practices and traditions that stretch back to the earliest centuries of Christianity. Thus, we worship using the liturgy (set patterns of worship); we beautify our place of worship in traditional ways; we celebrate the sacrament of Communion weekly; we have the traditional orders of Bishops, Priests and Deacons; and we understand ourselves as but a small part of the history of God’s people that has been going on for two thousand years.
But the best way to learn what an Anglican is is to come and worship with us. It may be a learning experience, but we believe that the traditional ways of discipleship are worth keeping!
Can I take Communion?
At SHSE, all baptized Christians are welcome to receive Communion at the Lord’s Table. You will be offered a wafer of bread and a common cup of wine to drink from.
If you are not baptized, or do not wish to take Communion, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. Just indicate this to the priest by crossing your arms in front of your chest when you are at the altar rail.
Can I come even if I don’t call myself a Christian?
Absolutely! We would love to meet you wherever you are on your spiritual journey. The best thing we can offer you is a clear, real picture of who Jesus is and why we follow Him. Each one of us has our own spiritual journey we are continuing.
I am a first time visitor, what should I wear?
People who attend SHSE church wear everything from jeans to business casual attire. Wear what you are comfortable with. We are casual about dress, serious about God!
Is SHSE wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the church is fully wheelchair accessible through the main entrance of the building.
If you have access and/or mobility requirements please let us know and we will make arrangements as required in order to help facilitate your visit with us.
Is there parking?
We have plenty of parking, with designated spaces for handicap parking at the main entrance.
If the church parking lot is full, there is additional parking at the medical center right beside the church or you can use the parking lot of the Westwood Square shopping mall right across the street.
Who goes to your church?
We have quite a mixture of people at SHSE from diverse backgrounds, ages and ethnic groups. Our congregation truly spans the ages, from newborns to folks in their 80s and beyond. You’ll find just about every type of person here – married, single, divorced, widowed – professionals, workers, retired. But even more important than the kind of people who go here is the kind of people who are welcome here – everyone!
What do you offer for children on Sunday morning?
Children are a special part of our congregation and we value them as full participants in the life of our church. Sunday School classes for children (preschool through the 12th grade) take place in our lower hall during the 11:00 a.m. service.
Will I be asked for a donation during the service?
The collection plate is passed during the service, however the decision to donate is entirely up to you, as is the amount. Our church, its facilities and our community ministries are entirely supported by voluntary donations, so all donations are graciously received and very welcome. Further details on how you can help to support SHSE, including the various ways in which you can donate, are available on our ‘Donate’ page.
What if I come from a different faith background?
People who attend SHSE come from a wide variety of faith backgrounds. Together, we focus on biblical truth and teachings, and pursuing an active relationship with Jesus Christ. You don’t have to be a member of a specific religious denomination to do that.
I am dealing with a personal issue; can I speak with a reverend/priest?
Yes. The clergy at SHSE are here to help parishioners and the community at large with a range of personal issues, both spiritual and practical.
How do I get involved?
Attending services is a good start, but we hope you’ll move beyond being just part of the Sunday morning crowd. You can further your faith, meet people, and learn more about life as a Christ-follower by attending our events and study groups or by serving in the church in an area in which you’re interested and gifted through one of our many Ministries.
Can I book an event at the church?
Memorials and Weddings are the most common events we host at SHSE. If your event is of another nature, it will have to be approved by our staff. Please contact the church if you have a booking inquiry.
How do I find out more about the church?
We would love to answers any questions that you may have about SHSE. If you didn’t find what you were looking for on our website, please email or call the church.